Did DMC-868 Ever Exist? (Spoiler: No!)

The Mystery of DMC-868: Why This Floss Doesn't Exist

Recently, I got a message along the lines of: "Do you know where I can find DMC 868?" The short answer? You can't — because it never existed. Yep, that's right. Despite showing up on some lists and popping up in conversations, DMC 868 has never been part of the official range.

But here's the fun part: this "phantom floss" has a story, and it's actually quite an interesting little stitchy mystery. Let's dive into the reasons why so many stitchers think they've come across it before.

1. The upside-down mix-up

   The most likely culprit is good old DMC 898 — a deep, rich brown. If you squint at a skein's number or happen to see the label upside down, "898" can easily be misread as "868." I mean, who hasn't confused a number or two when sorting through skeins?

   

2. Anchor's 868

   Here's where things get tricky: Anchor, another big embroidery floss brand, does have a colour numbered 868. But Anchor's 868 is a pinkish shade — nowhere close to the browns people associate with the "missing" DMC 868. This crossover probably added to the confusion, especially for stitchers who switch between brands.

3. The Mandela effect in action

   Some stitchers swear they've used DMC 868 before. They'll say, "I remember stitching with it!" But not a single person has ever produced a skein or a legitimate pattern calling for it. This is a classic example of the Mandela effect — a shared false memory that feels so real, but simply isn't.

   

4. Rare and discontinued colours fuel the myth

   DMC isn't exactly transparent about discontinuations. Every so often, an older colour quietly disappears, or a rare regional skein resurfaces and gets stitchers buzzing. That sense of "maybe it's out there somewhere" makes it easy to believe that 868 is simply hiding in a forgotten box or dusty catalogue.

5. Fake numbers as copyright traps

   This one's a bit cheeky. Some lists floating around online include "fake" floss numbers to catch people copying their content. It's possible 868 was one of those invented numbers that got shared around enough times to take on a life of its own.

   

6. The silence around discontinuations

   To make it even muddier, DMC doesn't announce which colours have been retired. (Wouldn't that be nice?) So when stitchers can't find a number, it's natural to assume it must have been discontinued. In this case though, there was never a DMC 868 to begin with.

So what's the verdict?

DMC 868 is a myth — a floss that never made it into production, no matter how many stitchers remember otherwise. If you're looking for a rich dark brown, DMC 898 is your best bet (and no, it's not discontinued).

I actually love little stitchy mysteries like this. They remind me how quirky and passionate our community is — we can turn a simple number into folklore!

Have you ever come across DMC 868 on a list or in conversation? Or maybe you thought you'd stitched with it once upon a time? I'd love to hear your story in the comments.